Can You Drink Unrefrigerated Kombucha?
- Posted on August 16, 2023
A kombucha refrigerated tea with probiotic benefits, kombucha is a popular drink that can help boost your immune system and improve digestion. The best way to preserve the health benefits of this beverage is to refrigerate it. However, if you forget to do this and leave the kombucha out, it can go bad and cause harmful bacteria to grow. So, can you drink unrefrigerated kombucha? Let’s explore this question in detail to find out.
How Long Can Kombucha Be Left Unrefrigerated?
As a fermented beverage, kombucha has a relatively short shelf life. Refrigeration slows down the fermentation process and helps keep the flavor, carbonation, and alcohol content consistent. Leaving it out for too long can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria and result in a vinegar-like taste. The length of time it can be safely left out depends on the temperature and humidity where the bottle is stored.
If you’re unsure whether your homebrewed kombucha is safe to drink, check its appearance and smell. A healthy kombucha will have a pleasant, bubbly scent and a balanced sweetness. If the kombucha appears cloudy or has an unpleasant, sour taste, it may be best to discard it.
Commercially-produced kombucha is usually pasteurized, which means that it has undergone a heat treatment to kill harmful bacteria and extend its shelf life. However, this method also kills the friendly colonies of yeast and bacteria that make raw kombucha so beneficial. As a result, bottled kombucha is often less potent than its homemade counterpart and contains more sugar.
Spread the love A kombucha refrigerated tea with probiotic benefits, kombucha is a popular drink that can help boost your immune system and improve digestion. The best way to preserve the health benefits of this beverage is to refrigerate it. However, if you forget to do this and leave the kombucha out, it can go…